Use cold water and a delicate cycle to wash dark clothes The shorter cycle and cold water temperature minimize the agitation to your clothing and help prevent the dyes from bleeding. For more laundering tips, learn how to wash dark and light-colored clothing with this handy guide.
Washing in Cold Water Can Help Reduce Fading & Color Bleeding. Hot water is more damaging to fabric fibers. Washing dark-colored fabric in cold water can help keep rich, deep colors looking their best.
Opt for cold water or a cool water temperature setting when washing black clothes. Hot water can lead to colour fading, so colder temperatures are gentler on the fabric and the dye.
Good for Your Wallet
Check your garment care labels, and you'll see that many clothes specify to wash them in cool or cold water. This is because cold water is gentler on your clothes, and can protect them from fading, shrinking or bleeding.
Towels should be washed in the warmest water appropriate for the fabric according to the care label. Generally, warm or hot water is recommended for washing towels. Use a cycle specifically for towels or a normal/regular cycle.
Cold water is fine for most clothes and other items that you can safely put in the washing machine. It can remove many stains from clothing, including grass on your kid's jeans or makeup smudges on a sweater. Delicate fabrics (lace and silk) and dark, colorful fabrics actually do best in cold water.
Heavily Soiled Items
Cold water is not as effective for cleaning off dirt or grime since it doesn't react well to the detergent below a certain temperature.
There are still multiple reasons for clothes shrinking even after using cold water. The washing cycle of the washing machine and the temperature can cause such an effect. So, it's better to lower the temperature and set the gentle washing cycle for how to avoid clothes from shrinking.
You will probably want to wash black clothes in cold water. Warmer water can lead to bleeding and fading of color from the fabric. Be sure to check the care tag on the garment before washing it, in case the fabric requires a specific temperature setting.
Bottom line… So now you know what temperature you should be washing your clothes at, and which temperature is best for your laundry. But what's the bottom line? If you have very delicate items, like white or light-colored items, you should wash them in cold water to prevent fading.
Wash White Separately
Coloured garments lose some of their dye molecules during the washing process, which then transfers onto white fabrics. Therefore, only launder white items together at all times.
Loni Labs Bio Detergent
This fragrance free laundry detergent is excellent for people who want to get their black clothes clean. With a 75 washer load container, Loni Bio Laundry Detergent is number one on our list of recommended options to clean your clothes quickly.
It might be possible for hot water to shrink certain clothing items to their maximum shrinking capacity after just one wash. Besides shrinkage, washing your clothes with hot water can also damage items by permanently causing color fading.
Washing your clothes inside out helps prevent fading by allowing the inside of your garments to take the brunt of agitation and color fading that occurs during a wash cycle. This helps to protect the outside dye of your shirt or pants by reducing friction and contact while still ensuring a thorough wash.
To preserve the original colors of your dark clothes, wash darks inside out on the shortest cycle using cold water (60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit). Select the appropriate setting depending on how soiled the clothes are and what fabric they're made of.
Heart and Blood Pressure Problems
Cold water can cause a sudden spike in heart rate and blood pressure. This increase can cause heart failure and stroke for vulnerable people.
Wash with the hottest water temperature setting listed on the care label. Polyester blends are best washed using warm water, while cotton can toleratehot water. Hotter water kills most germs and also takes care of dust mites that thrive in bedding. Wash at least once every other week.
To play it safe, it's best to wash your towels in cold water, according to Eichholz. “Hot water can be damaging to the cotton and shrink the towel,” she says. Are there any risks associated with washing towels in hot water? Yes—hot water causes natural materials to shrink and can weaken the fibers (think: less luxe).
OxiClean™ Versatile Stain Remover works in any temperature water, but best in warm to hot water. Do NOT use boiling water.
Dead skin cells, bacteria, and even sweat can accumulate quickly on your towels, so using a fresh one about every three days is a simple rule of thumb—for all kinds of towels.
"Bath towels and hand towels should be laundered after every three uses," says Dr. Maender. "This helps remove the contaminants that can cause infections and reduce odor-causing bacteria." No one likes a funky-smelling towel, but potentially harmful microbes represent the important health concern.
Wash Every Few Days
The best way to wash colored towels is with warm water and color-safe bleach, if necessary. For white towels, use hot water and non-chlorine bleach as needed. White towels should be washed separately or with other white items to avoid subtle discoloration over time.